CAR 816
A gas-piston AR-15 variant produced in the United Arab Emirates.
The CAR 816, also referred to as the Caracal Sultan or just Sultan, is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle built by Caracal International in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is gas-operated and fed by a magazine. The rifle is related to the Heckler & Koch HK416. Its design uses the ergonomic layout of the AR-15 platform, but instead of the AR-15’s direct impingement gas system, it employs a short-stroke gas piston system with a regulator that the user can adjust.
The CAR 816 accepts STANAG 4179-compliant magazines, typically holding 30 rounds, and can also use other STANAG-compatible box or drum magazines. Its bolt carrier is proprietary, and the buffer contains tungsten granules to reduce bolt carrier bounce and soften recoil. The chamber is modified so the rifle can fire safely soon after being submerged in water, making it over-the-beach capable. A three-position gas regulator (normal, adverse, and suppressor settings) lets the system function reliably with different ammunition, levels of fouling, and operating conditions. The trigger is mil-spec direct, with safe, semi-automatic, and automatic fire settings.
The handguard has four Picatinny rails for attaching accessories and can be removed without tools. The basic version includes flip-up iron sights mounted on the rails. The top rail on the upper receiver continues onto the handguard, allowing various optics to be mounted. The stock is a six-position telescoping type that adjusts for length of pull.
The CAR 816 shares most parts with the M4 carbine family, with a few differences. Its barrel is hammer-forged, chrome-lined, with a 178 mm (7.0 in) twist rate, and has a standard A2-style flash hider. All lower receiver components are interchangeable with M4 parts. A tension tube minimizes movement between the upper and lower receivers. Because the rifles are entirely made in the United Arab Emirates, they are not subject to U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations, even though they share many components with the M4 used by U.S. forces.
Current users include Ethiopia (carbine variant for the Republican Guard), Indonesia (PC 816 V1 used by Kopassus, Kostrad, and the Marine Corps), and the United Arab Emirates (80,000 rifles for its armed forces).
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United Arab Emirates
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 2014–present
- Wars
- Saudi-led intervention in Yemen
- Manufacturer
- Caracal International / PC 816 V1: Pindad
- Weight
- 3.4 kg 406 mm barrel / 3.3 kg 368 mm barrel / 3.05 kg 267 mm barrel / 2.92 kg 191 mm barrel
- Length
- 925 - 406 mm barrel / 887 - 368 mm barrel / 778 - 267 mm barrel / 709 - 191 mm barrel
- Part Length
- 406 mm / 368 mm / 267 mm / 191 mm
- Cartridge
- 5.56×45mm NATO
- Caliber
- 5.56 mm (.223 in)
- Action
- Short-stroke piston, rotating bolt
- Barrels
- 1
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The CAR 816 was developed by Caracal International in Abu Dhabi, sharing design lineage with the Heckler & Koch HK416. On 5 March 2021, Caracal International LLC and PT Pindad Indonesia signed a partnership for joint production of the CAR 816 for the Indonesian military. The rifle is based on the AR-15 platform but uses a short-stroke gas piston system instead of the direct impingement system, with a user-adjustable three-position gas regulator for normal, adverse, and suppressor settings.
The CAR 816 features a proprietary bolt carrier and a buffer containing tungsten granules to manage bolt carrier bounce and soften recoil. Its chamber is modified for over-the-beach capability, allowing safe firing shortly after submersion. The rifle uses a mil-spec direct trigger with safe, semi-automatic, and automatic fire settings. The handguard has four Picatinny rails and is removable without tools; basic versions include flip-up iron sights. The telescoping 6-position stock adjusts for length of pull.
The CAR 816 shares most components with the M4 arms family, including interchangeable lower receiver components and a hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel with an A2-style flash suppressor. A tension tube minimizes movement between upper and lower receivers. Because the rifles are completely manufactured in the United Arab Emirates, they are not subject to United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations, despite sharing many parts with the M4.
Reader's Guide
The CAR 816 represents a notable example of a non-U.S. manufactured assault rifle that maintains extensive parts interoperability with the M4 arms family while avoiding U.S. export restrictions. Its adoption by the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces in quantities of 80,000 rifles, along with use by Ethiopian Republican Guard and multiple Indonesian special forces and marine units, demonstrates its role as a modern service rifle in several militaries. The partnership with PT Pindad Indonesia for joint production highlights international defense collaboration. The rifle's design choices—such as the short-stroke gas piston system, over-the-beach capability, and adjustable gas regulator—address reliability concerns in adverse conditions. Its failed bid for a large Indian carbine contract, cancelled in favor of domestic development, illustrates the competitive nature of international arms procurement. The CAR 816's lineage to the HK416 and its AR-15-derived ergonomics place it within a well-established design family, while its manufacture outside the United States gives it a distinct market position.
Did You Know?
- The CAR 816 is also called the Caracal Sultan or simply Sultan.
- The rifle is over-the-beach capable, allowing safe firing shortly after submersion in water.
- A partnership for joint production with PT Pindad Indonesia was signed on 5 March 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAR 816?
The CAR 816, often nicknamed the Caracal Sultan or simply 'Sultan,' is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle produced by Caracal International in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It belongs to the same design family as the Heckler & Koch HK416, sharing a closely related gas-piston architecture.
How does the CAR 816 differ from a standard AR-15?
Although it adopts the familiar ergonomic layout of the AR-15 platform, the CAR 816 replaces the direct-impingement gas system with a short-stroke piston and a user-adjustable gas regulator. This makes its internal operation much closer to the HK416 than to a typical civilian AR.
What magazines are compatible with the CAR 816?
It feeds from STANAG 4179-compliant magazines, with a 30-round box magazine being the standard configuration. Other STANAG-compatible box or drum magazines can also be cycled through the action.
What firing modes and stock options does the CAR 816 offer?
The rifle provides three selector positions: safe, semi-automatic, and fully automatic. It is fitted with a telescoping stock that locks into six distinct length-of-pull positions for a tailored fit.
What is the barrel twist rate on the CAR 816?
The barrel is cut at a 178 mm (7.0 inch) twist rate, a standard specification for properly stabilizing the 5.56×45mm NATO round at typical engagement ranges.
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